Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are set to reunite on-screen for the upcoming comedy The Players.

The co-stars, who played comedy duo Laurel and Hardy in the 2018 film Stan & Ollie, are set to play real people once again in The Players, which has been written by Stan & Ollie scribe Jeff Pope.

The comedy, set in New York in 1847, will depict the rivalry between actors Edwin Forrest and William MacCready. When English stage actor MacCready, played by Coogan, arrives from London to perform Hamlet, he threatens to dethrone Forrest, who holds the undisputed title as America’s top Shakespearian actor. The bitter feud between them starts a hilarious and unforgettable battle of egos.

The film will be directed by The Full Monty’s Peter Cattaneo, who recently worked with Coogan and Pope on The Penguin Lessons, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.

Coogan and Pope will also executive produce the project alongside Protagonist Pictures’ Dave Bishop, among others.

“The multi-talented Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly have reunited for this wildly funny, bigger than life battle of egos,” Bishop told Deadline about the movie. “Their chemistry is undeniable and, with the wit and comedy bursting from every page of Jeff’s script, and Peter’s artful direction behind the camera, this is set up to be a tremendous crowd pleaser.”

Stan & Ollie, directed by Jon S. Baird, was well received upon its release. The Alan Partridge star was nominated for a BAFTA for his performance while the Step Brothers actor scored a Golden Globe nod.

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